Essay name: Atharvaveda ancillary literature (Study)
Author:
B. R. Modak
Affiliation: Savitribai Phule Pune University / Department of Sanskrit and Prakrit Languages
The essay studies the ancillary literature of the Atharva-Veda with special reference to the Parisistas. It does so by understanding the socio-cultural and philosophical aspects of ancient Indian life. The Atharvaveda addresses encompasses all practical aspects of life from health and prosperity to rituals and sorcery.
Chapter 2a - The nature of the Parisistas (of the Atharvaveda)
113 (of 459)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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394
Protection is sought for him with raksantu tv盲
107 and both
the priest and the performer sleep that night on the sacred
darbha grass spread out on the ground.
110 108
The next day under the abhijit muhurta a small
circular pot, of the size of navel, together with a lid is
prepared of gold. The purastat homa is performed and obla-
tions are offered to the Sun with the formulas: hiranya-
garbh膩ya sv膩h膩 etc. The king is made to sit on a golden
seat, he is bathed with water poured out from golden pitchers
109 to the accompaniment of the hiranyavati mantras. Water,
pancaravya and the remnants of the oblations offered in the
homa are put into the little golden pot with the prescribed
mantras. The king is said to have thereby become symbolical-
ly one with the golden embryo. He is asked to restrain his
speech and control his senses and to meditate upon the
Hiranya-garbha. When the king is about to rise, he is press-
ed with a golden disc and the same is thrown away, with the
111 mantra: yas tva mrtyuh , to dispel evil. The king is
then asked to get up, saying that he is now favoured by
Hiranya-garbha. Oblations are offered with the mantras from
(107) AV VIII.1.11.
(108) For an explanation regarding the muhurtas, see the sequel.
(109) AV I.33.
(110) Pancagavya is a mixture of the fire products of a cow:
milk, curds, clarified butter, urine and dung.
(111) AV III.11.8掳
